PHILADELPHIA, PA, October 24, 2014 – The Penn Libraries are pleased to announce the launch of BorrowDirect PLUS. This service grants Penn affiliates on-site borrowing privileges at the eight Ivies, Johns Hopkins, MIT, University of Chicago and Duke University. The on-site initiative is an extension of the popular BorrowDirect interlibrary lending program. Since its founding by Penn, Columbia, and Yale in 1999, BorrowDirect has provided easy search and expedited book supply for the Penn community.

Borrow Direct PLUS is simple to use. When visiting one of the participating libraries, you simply present your Penn ID and log into the online BorrowDirect interface to verify your current affiliation with Penn. Once verified, you will be issued a library card from the member institution you’re visiting.

It is strongly recommended that guest users check online for local access information at www.borrowdirect.org/on-site-borrowing since items and collections eligible for on-site lending may vary from institution to institution. Borrowed items may be returned at either the lending library or at Penn Libraries.

Most materials at the participating libraries are already available through BorrowDirect’s online feature, at http://webdoc.library.upenn.edu/borrowdirect/. The rapid book request and delivery system offers immediate access to over 50 million volumes held by the partner libraries.